Despite being paralyzed by a gunshot, Wanda still serves as man’s best friend. Wanda was hit in her spine by a bullet in January but was welcomed into the Thatcher family in March where she serves as a devoted pet to her owners.

“We’re so blessed to have this little dog in our lives,” Cathleen Thatcher told KRQE. “I can’t say the words to how much she has fulfilled our lives and the love that we all feel.”

Wanda recovered from her serious injuries at Animal Welfare before being put up for adoption with the understanding the dog would need frequent visits to a veterinarian to continue treatment. The dog is now healthy and happy, enjoying what mobility she has. Wanda will most likely never get to use her back legs, though she seems determined to do so.

“When she’s in her cart she paddles all the time with those back legs,” Cathleen said, “so she’s getting stronger and more use of her back legs.”

Joe Thatcher said, “She loved running around in the snow, she does power slides in the snow and chases the other dogs.”

The Thatchers donated a cart to Animal Welfare to help other dogs with special needs and keep in touch with the volunteers who took care of Wanda.